TheFishSite.com
5M Retail Now OpenSign up for TheFishSite weekly newsletterFollow us on TwitterCome meet the team at Aquaculture 2012
News

Company License Withdrawn over Fish Dumping

16 February 2012

NORWAY - The fisheries Coastal Affairs department has withdrawn the acquisition permit for the owner Nordland Fishing Company, for the vessel "Hekktind", due to serious cases of fish dumping.

It was found that during the period of 29 May 2010 to 18 June 2010 the vessel dumped significant amounts of fish.

During the on board production process many fish were dumped overboard before the remaining catch was weighed and frozen.

Both dumping and under-reporting of catch is a violation of the Marine Resources Act, and the participating law provides for a revocation of acquisition permit.

The company that owns "Hekktind" Nordland Fishing AS, is one of the biggest players in the Norwegian trawler fleet.

"The company has conscious procedures put in place to dump fish. Such a waste of society's resources is an environmental crime and a gross breach of trust by the company that has been granted permission to engage in fishing and exercise fishing activities on behalf of the community," says the fisheries director, Liv Holmefjord.

She stresses that fish is one of society's scarce goods which should be managed in a responsible manner.

Police have imposed on the shipowner and the captain fines of £120,000 and £30,000 respectively for breaches of the Marine Resources Act.

In addition, the company received forfeiture of $750,000 for the Marine Resources Act 65

"In addition, we will temporarily withdraw the acquisition license for seven months as it is such a severe case of dumping. This will also prevent the owner of the vessel from using a similar capture process in the future," says Ms Holmefjord.

TheFishSite News Desk

Government and Regulatory, General, Sustainability, SUSTAINABLE FISHING


Our Sponsors
Partners